Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki
Advertisement
Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki
For alternate versions of the Destruction of HYDRA, see the Destruction of HYDRA's Event Hub

"HYDRA. I thought you and Talbot put those guys to bed."
"We dismantled their network, but that just sent the rats scurrying off the sinking ship."
Jeffrey Mace and Phil Coulson[src]

The Destruction of HYDRA was a global offensive that pitted the United States Armed Forces, the Advanced Threat Containment Unit and S.H.I.E.L.D. to dismantle HYDRA's operation network.

Background[]

"This is why Talbot's been so bent out of shape."
"Malick's intel?"
"He gave us everything. You mess with a man's family, all bets are off. I don't think aliens get that."
Melinda May and Phil Coulson[src]
Malick and Coulson

Phil Coulson questions Gideon Malick

When Gideon Malick orchestrated the return of Hive from Maveth back to Earth, he thought he would be generously rewarded once Hive conquered Earth. Acting on his lifelong beliefs, Malick did everything he could to help Hive spread his power. However, Malick quickly lost influence within HYDRA when own beloved daughter Stephanie Malick was killed by Hive. The sight of his only child's meaningless murder caused Malick to realize his mistake; he had freed the devil instead of the HYDRA god he had worshiped. When S.H.I.E.L.D. captured Malick, he provided Phil Coulson with key information about HYDRA to avenge Stephanie and help stop Hive.[2]

Battle[]

"The head has been cut. I repeat, the head has been cut. HYDRA has been eliminated."
Glenn Talbot[src]

Phil Coulson quickly passed Gideon Malick's intel to Glenn Talbot. Using the full power of the Advanced Threat Containment Unit and the United States Air Force, Talbot led a full-scale assault on all known HYDRA bases, with many HYDRA operatives being killed or incarcerated. At least 17 bases and hideouts were captured, along with any equipment they could confiscate at these bases.[3]

Talbot arrests Fischer

Glenn Talbot arrives to arrest Fischer

General Fischer learned about Malick's betrayal, and quickly summoned General Hale to his office, as they were some of the highest-ranking HYDRA moles within the US military. As he was trying to destroy incriminating documents Fischer informed Hale about HYDRA's success in reactivating the Chitauri tech obtained in the aftermath of the Battle of New York and establishing contact with an extraterrestrial intergalactic alliance called the Confederacy. Just as Fischer gave Hale the keys to his secret vault so she could take over his job and maintain HYDRA's contact with the aliens a small group of soldiers led by General Talbot burst into the room. Not knowing that Hale was HYDRA too, Talbot asked her to step away from Fischer, who took a cyanide pill and poisoned himself.[4]

Holden Radcliffe Singularity 22

Hive and his followers assemble in Union City

Hive, his Inhuman followers, and a remaining few HYDRA operatives successfully evaded Talbot's men and escaped the decimation of HYDRA, eventually creating a new base in Union City, an abandoned town in Wyoming which was bought by Hive with Malick's money. However, Hive was too focused on creating a better world for Inhumans and raising an Inhuman army to care about reforming HYDRA. Without a head that cared about rebuilding it, the majority of HYDRA was left in shambles.[3]

RubyThreatenedBySteger

Steger attempts to indoctrinate Ruby Hale

Following an encounter with Talbot, Hale came to the HYDRA Preparatory Academy which was abandoned by all but two: her daughter Ruby Hale, and one of the professors, Steger, who was trying to make Ruby complete her training by shooting her pet dog. Ruby refused to comply, claiming that following such antiquated traditions had brought HYDRA to the brink of extinction. As a firm believer in HYDRA's authoritarian and survivalist ideology, Steger continued with his lecture, but Hale shot him dead, leaving Ruby and her mother as the last two heads of HYDRA.[4]

Aftermath[]

"It's HYDRA."
"I thought we stomped you out."
"Yes. Just as you were stomped out. And yet here we are in the same room."
Hale and Phil Coulson[src]

In the offensive, the U.S. military and ATCU dealt a crippling blow to HYDRA, as Matthew Ellis announced to the public that HYDRA was eradicated.[1] Through a covert operation similar in nature to Operation Paperclip, Tony Caine created new identities and new lives for scientists who were blackmailed into serving HYDRA, giving them a second chance.[5]

Several HYDRA leaders and operatives managed to escape justice. Three members of the HYDRA faction that worshiped Hive, including Kirk Vogel, managed to evade the authorities, and assembled in Union City. They all died in Hive's unsuccessful attempt to turn them into Inhumans as a reward for their loyalty.[6]

Grafitti Hydra

Graffiti of the HYDRA symbol

Despite all those losses, HYDRA's ideology continued to live, evidenced by the graffiti found in some American cities.[7] Several former HYDRA operatives found employment as mercenaries working for other organizations, such as the Watchdogs.[8] Hale and her daughter Ruby also evaded capture and proceeded to build a new version of HYDRA based in the HYDRA Preparatory Academy. With Fischer's Phase Harmonic Teleportation Device, Hale successfully established and maintained contact with the Confederacy.

Her experience with the aliens and the news about the approaching intergalactic war convinced her to restart Project Destroyer of Worlds, a program started by Daniel Whitehall which was abandoned after Whitehall's death at the hands of Phil Coulson. Unlike Whitehall, who intended to make HYDRA's new leader, Hale hoped she could use the Particle Infusion Chamber to make a super soldier that would defend the Earth from all the threats from other worlds.[4]

Appearances[]

In chronological order:

References[]

Advertisement